System and method for verifying calibration of a surgical system

ABSTRACT

A surgical system includes a robotic arm, an end effector coupled to the robotic arm, a divot at the end effector, a probe configured to be inserted into the divot, a tracking system configured to obtain data indicative of a position of the probe while the probe is in the divot, and circuitry configured to verify a proper physical configuration of the surgical system based on the data indicative of the position of the probe while the probe is in the divot.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/395,668, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,712,308, filed Aug. 6, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/509,651, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,123,143, filed Jul. 12, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/288,769, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,350,012, filed Oct. 7, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/750,815, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,237, filed May 18, 2007, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/801,378, filed May 19, 2006, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a surgical system, more particularly, to a surgical system and method for orthopedic joint replacement.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the performance of surgery through incisions that are considerably smaller than incisions used in traditional surgical approaches. For example, in an orthopedic application such as total knee replacement surgery, an MIS incision length may be in a range of about 4 to 6 inches whereas an incision length in traditional total knee surgery is typically in a range of about 6 to 12 inches. As a result of the smaller incision length, MIS procedures are generally less invasive than traditional surgical approaches, which minimizes trauma to soft tissue, reduces post-operative pain, promotes earlier mobilization, shortens hospital stays, and speeds rehabilitation.

One drawback of MIS is that the small incision size reduces a surgeon's ability to view and access the anatomy. For example, in minimally invasive orthopedic joint replacement, limited visibility and limited access to the joint increase the complexity of assessing proper implant position and of reshaping bone. As a result, accurate placement of implants may be more difficult. Conventional techniques for counteracting these problems include, for example, surgical navigation, positioning the leg for optimal joint exposure, and employing specially designed, downsized instrumentation and complex surgical techniques. Such techniques, however, typically require a large amount of specialized instrumentation, a lengthy training process, and a high degree of skill. Moreover, operative results for a single surgeon and among various surgeons are not sufficiently predictable, repeatable, and/or accurate. As a result, implant performance and longevity varies among patients.

In orthopedic applications, one drawback of both MIS and traditional surgical approaches is that healthy as well as diseased bone is removed when the bone is prepared to receive the implant. For example, a total knee replacement can require removal of up to ½ inch of bone on each of three compartments of the knee.

Another drawback of both MIS and traditional orthopedic surgical approaches is that such approaches do not enhance the surgeon's inherent surgical skill in a cooperative manner. For example, some conventional techniques for joint replacement include autonomous robotic systems to aid the surgeon. Such systems, however, typically serve primarily to enhance bone machining by performing autonomous cutting with a high speed burr or by moving a drill guide into place and holding the position of the drill guide while the surgeon inserts cutting tools through the guide. Although such systems enable precise bone resections for improved implant fit and placement, they act autonomously (rather than cooperatively with the surgeon) and thus require the surgeon to cede a degree of control to the robot. Additional drawbacks of autonomous systems include the large size of the robot, poor ergonomics, the need to rigidly clamp the bone during registration and cutting, increased incision length for adequate robot access, and limited acceptance by surgeons and regulatory agencies due to the autonomous nature of the system.

Other conventional robotic systems include robots that cooperatively interact with the surgeon. One drawback of conventional interactive robotic systems is that such systems lack the ability to adapt surgical planning and navigation in real-time to a dynamic intraoperative environment. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/470,314 (Pub. No. US 2004/0128026), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses an interactive robotic system programmed with a three-dimensional virtual region of constraint that is registered to a patient. The robotic system includes a three degree of freedom (3-DOF) arm having a handle that incorporates force sensors. The surgeon utilizes the handle to manipulate the arm to move the cutting tool. Moving the arm via the handle is required so that the force sensors can measure the force being applied to the handle by the surgeon. The measured force is then used in controlling motors to assist or resist movement of the cutting tool. For example, during a knee replacement operation, the femur and tibia of the patient are fixed in position relative to the robotic system. As the surgeon applies force to the handle to move the cutting tool, the interactive robotic system may apply an increasing degree of resistance to resist movement of the cutting tool as the cutting tool approaches a boundary of the virtual region of constraint. In this manner, the robotic system guides the surgeon in preparing the bone by maintaining the cutting tool within the virtual region of constraint. As with the above-described autonomous systems, however, the interactive robotic system functions primarily to enhance bone machining. The interactive robotic system also requires the relevant anatomy to be rigidly restrained and the robotic system to be fixed in a gross position and thus lacks real-time adaptability to the intraoperative scene. Moreover, the 3-DOF configuration of the arm and the requirement that the surgeon manipulate the arm using the force handle results in limited flexibility and dexterity, making the robotic system unsuitable for certain MIS applications.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a surgical system that can replace direct visualization in minimally invasive surgery, spare healthy bone in orthopedic joint replacement applications, enable intraoperative adaptability and surgical planning, and produce operative results that are sufficiently predictable, repeatable, and/or accurate regardless of surgical skill level. A surgical system need not necessarily meet all or any of these needs to be an advance, though a system meeting these needs would me more desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One implementation of the present disclosure is a surgical system. The surgical system includes a robotic arm, an end effector coupled to the robotic arm, a divot at the end effector, a probe configured to be inserted into the divot, a tracking system configured to obtain data indicative of a position of the probe while the probe is in the divot, and circuitry configured to verify a proper physical configuration of the surgical system based on the data indicative of the position of the probe while the probe is in the divot.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method of operating a surgical robotics system. The method includes tracking a position of a probe, obtaining an indication that the probe is in a divot coupled to an end effector of a robotic device, and verifying a proper physical configuration of the surgical robotics system based on the position of the probe while the probe is received by the divot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surgical system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a haptic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a haptic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anatomy tracker according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the end effector of FIG. 5A attached to a haptic device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an instrument tracker according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of a mechanical tracking system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a femoral component according to the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tibial component according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a display of a CAS system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a process for a unicondylar knee replacement according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a probe calibration verification step according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing an anatomy tracker installation step according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view of an embodiment of a surgical navigation screen showing a registration step according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. Although this specification refers primarily to orthopedic procedures involving the knee joint, it should be understood that the subject matter described herein is applicable to other joints in the body, such as, for example, a shoulder, elbow, wrist, spine, hip, or ankle and to any other orthopedic and/or musculoskeletal implant, including implants of conventional materials and more exotic implants, such as orthobiologics, drug delivery implants, and cell delivery implants.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a surgical system 10 according to the present invention. The surgical system 10 includes a computing system 20, a haptic device 30, and a tracking (or localizing) system 40. In operation, the surgical system 10 enables comprehensive, intraoperative surgical planning. The surgical system 10 also provides haptic guidance to a user (e.g., a surgeon) and/or limits the user's manipulation of the haptic device 30 as the user performs a surgical procedure.

The computing system 20 includes hardware and software for operation and control of the surgical system 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , the computing system 20 includes a computer 21, a display device 23, and an input device 25. The computing system 20 may also include a cart 29.

The haptic device 30 is a surgical device configured to be manipulated by a user to move a surgical tool 50 to perform a procedure on a patient. During the procedure, the computing system 20 implements control parameters for controlling the haptic device 30 based, for example, on a relationship between an anatomy of the patient and a position, an orientation, a velocity, and/or an acceleration of a portion of the haptic device 30 (e.g., the surgical tool 50). In one embodiment, the haptic device 30 is controlled to provide a limit on user manipulation of the device (e.g., by limiting the user's ability to physically manipulate the haptic device 30). In another embodiment, the haptic device 30 is controlled to provide haptic guidance (i.e., tactile and/or force feedback) to the user. “Haptic” refers to a sense of touch, and the field of haptics involves research relating to human interactive devices that provide tactile and/or force feedback to an operator. Tactile feedback generally includes tactile sensations such as, for example, vibration, whereas force feedback refers to feedback in the form of force (e.g., resistance to movement) and/or torque (also known as “wrench). Wrench includes, for example, feedback in the form of force, torque, or a combination of force and torque.

Guidance from the haptic device 30 coupled with computer aided surgery (CAS) enables a surgeon to actively and accurately control surgical actions (e.g., bone cutting) and delivery of localized therapies (e.g., in the brain). The computing system 20 can control the haptic device 30 to generate a force, a torque, and/or vibration based on the position of the tool 50 relative to the virtual object, the parameter, and/or the anatomy. Thus, in operation, as a surgeon manipulates the haptic device 30 to move the tool 50, virtual pathways may be used to guide the tool 50 to specific targets, virtual boundaries may be used to define cutting shapes or to prevent the tool 50 from contacting critical tissue, and predefined parameters may be used to limit travel of the tool 50 (e.g., to a predefined depth). The computing system 20 may also be programmed to adjust the control parameters in response to movement of the physical anatomy during the procedure (e.g., by monitoring detected movement of the physical anatomy and then adjusting the virtual object in response to the detected movement). In this manner, the surgical system 10 can supplement or replace direct visualization of the surgical site, enhance the surgeon's natural tactile sense and physical dexterity, and facilitate the targeting, repairing, and replacing of various structures in the body through conventionally sized portals (e.g., 12 inches or greater in length) to portals having a diameter as small as approximately 1 mm.

In orthopedic applications, for example, the haptic device 30 can be applied to the problems of inaccuracy, unpredictability, and non-repeatability in bone (or work piece) preparation by assisting the surgeon with proper sculpting of bone to thereby enable precise, repeatable bone resections while maintaining intimate involvement of the surgeon in the bone preparation process. Moreover, because the haptic device 30 haptically guides the surgeon in the bone cutting operation, the skill level of the surgeon is less critical. As a result, surgeons with varying degrees of skill and experience are able perform accurate, repeatable bone resections. In one embodiment, for example, a surgical tool is coupled to the haptic device 30. The surgeon can operate the tool to sculpt bone by grasping and moving the tool and/or by grasping and manipulating the haptic device 30 to move the tool. As the surgeon performs the cutting operation, the surgical system 10 tracks the location of the tool (with the tracking system 40) and, in most cases, allows the surgeon to freely move the tool in the workspace. When the tool is in proximity to a virtual boundary in registration with the patient, however, the surgical system 10 controls the haptic device 30 to provide haptic guidance that tends to constrain the surgeon from penetrating the virtual boundary with the tool. For example, the virtual boundary may be defined by a haptic object, and the haptic guidance may comprise an output wrench (i.e., force and/or torque) that is mapped to the haptic object and experienced by the surgeon as resistance to further tool movement in the direction of the virtual boundary. A haptic object may have an associated spatial or geometric representation that can be graphically represented on the display device 23. A graphical representation may be selected so as to convey useful information to the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , a haptic object 300 configured assist the user in guiding a tool 50 to the surgical site may be represented graphically as a funnel shaped volume. As a virtual tool corresponding to the physical tool 50 moves through and interacts with the haptic object 300, haptic forces are reflected to the user so that the tool 50 is directed to the surgical site. In one embodiment, a haptic object defining a virtual cutting boundary for an implant may be depicted on the display device 23 as a graphical image having a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of the implant. Thus, a haptic object 208 defining a virtual cutting boundary for a femoral component 72 (shown in FIG. 7A) may have a corresponding graphical representation. Similarly, a haptic object 206 defining a virtual cutting boundary for a tibial component 74 (shown in FIG. 7B) may have a corresponding graphical representation. Thus, the surgeon may feel as if the tool has encountered a physical object, such as a wall. In this manner, the virtual boundary functions as a virtual cutting guide. Thus, the haptic device 30 communicates information to the surgeon regarding the location of the tool relative to the virtual boundary and provides physical guidance in the actual cutting process. The haptic device 30 may also be configured to limit the user's ability to manipulate the surgical tool as described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/470,314 (Pub. No. US 2004/0128026), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The haptic device 30 may include a mechanical or electro-mechanical device adapted to transmit tactile feedback (e.g., vibration) and/or force feedback (e.g., wrench) to the user. The haptic device 30 may be robotic, non-robotic, or a combination of robotic and non-robotic systems.

In one embodiment, the haptic device 30 comprises a robot. In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the haptic device 30 can include a base 32, an arm 33, an end effector 35, and a user interface 37. The haptic device 30 may also include a platform 39. Such a platform 39 may include rolling members 38 (e.g., wheels or casters) to enable the platform 39 to be moved. The platform 39 may also include a mechanism for securing the platform 39 in position. For example, the platform 39 may be equipped with wheel locks or brakes for the rolling members 38, a foot pedal locking device, jack stands, and/or any other known mechanism for securing a platform or cart in position. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the platform 39 includes rigid feet 39 a that can be actuated between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 2A) and an extended position (not shown) with a mechanism 39 b.

The arm 33 is disposed on the base 32 and is adapted to enable the haptic device 30 to be manipulated by the user. The arm 33 may be any suitable mechanical or electromechanical structure but is preferably an articulated arm having four or more degrees of freedom (or axes of movement), such as, for example, a robotic arm known as the “Whole-Arm Manipulator” or WAM™ currently manufactured by Barrett Technology, Inc. The arm 33 includes a proximal end disposed on the base 32 of the haptic device 30 and a distal end to which a surgical tool 50 is coupled. As described further below, the distal end of the arm 33 may include the end effector 35 and/or a tool holder 51 for the tool 50. In one embodiment, the arm 33 includes a first segment 33 a, a second segment 33 b, and a third segment 33 c as shown in FIG. 2A. The first segment 33 a and the second segment 33 b are connected at a first joint 33 d (e.g., a shoulder joint), and the second segment 33 b and the third segment 33 c are connected at a second joint 33 e (e.g., an elbow joint). As shown in FIG. 2B, the arm 33 may have, for example, a first degree of freedom DOF₁, a second degree of freedom DOF₂, a third degree of freedom DOF₃, and a fourth degree of freedom DOF₄. Thus, the segments 33 a, 33 b, and 33 c and the joints 33 e and 33 d form an articulating mechanical linkage that can be manipulated into various positions or poses. The arm 33 is sized to be appropriate for use in a variety of procedures, such as orthopedic, neurological, and/or trauma procedures, and to be sufficiently compact to enable mobility of the haptic device 30 and efficient positioning of the haptic device 30 in an operating room. For example, the arm 33 may be sized slightly larger than a human arm. In one embodiment, the arm 33 has a reach of approximately 1 m, and a diameter of the segments 33 b and 33 c is approximately 89 mm. The arm 33 may also be adapted to house and/or route components of the haptic device 30, such as, for example, instrumentation, power lines, motors, transmission components, controllers, actuators, amplifiers, brakes, clutches, power supplies, sensors, and/or computer hardware.

Dexterity of the arm 33 may be enhanced, for example, by adding additional degrees of freedom. For example, the arm 33 may include a wrist 36. As shown in FIG. 2A, the wrist 36 may be disposed on the arm 33 (e.g., at a distal end of the third segment 33 c) and includes one or more degrees of freedom to augment the degrees of freedom DOF₁, DOF₂, DOF₃, and DOF₄ of the arm 33. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the wrist 36 may include a degree of freedom DOF₅. In one embodiment, the wrist 36 includes two degrees of freedom, and the degree of freedom DOF₃ of the arm 33 is eliminated. The wrist 36 may also be a one degree of freedom or a three degree of freedom WAM™ wrist manufactured by Barrett Technology, Inc.

The end effector 35 may comprise a working end of the haptic device 30 and can be configured to enable the user to perform various activities related to a surgical procedure. For example, in one embodiment, the end effector 35 functions as an adapter or coupling between the arm 33 and the tool 50. By decoupling the tool 50 from the end effector 35 and interchanging one tool 50 for another, the user can utilize the haptic device 30 for different activities, such as registration, bone (or work piece) preparation, measurement/verification, and/or implant installation. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the end effector 35 includes a proximal portion adapted to be connected to the arm 33 and a distal portion that includes the tool 50 and/or a tool holder 51. The proximal portion of the end effector 35 may be electrically and mechanically connected to the arm 33 in any conventional manner. The tool 50 may be, for example, a surgical tool (such as a burr, drill, probe, saw, etc.), medical device, microscope, laser range finder, camera, light, endoscope, ultrasound probe, irrigation device, suction device, radiotherapy device, and/or any other component useful for surgery, surgical planning, and/or surgical navigation. The tool 50 may be a single tool or may include multiple tools.

The tracking (or localizing) system 40 of the surgical system 10 is configured to determine a pose (i.e., position and orientation) of one or more objects during a surgical procedure to detect movement of the object(s). For example, the tracking system 40 may include a detection device that obtains a pose of an object with respect to a coordinate frame of reference (or coordinate system) of the detection device. As the object moves in the coordinate frame of reference, the detection device tracks the pose of the object to detect (or enable the surgical system 10 to determine) movement of the object. As a result, the computing system 20 can adjust the control parameters (e.g., by adjusting a virtual object) in response to movement of the tracked object. Tracked objects may include, for example, tools/instruments, patient anatomy, implants/prosthetic devices, work pieces, and components of the surgical system 10. Using pose data from the tracking system 40, the surgical system 10 is also able to register (or map or associate) coordinates in one space to those in another to achieve spatial alignment or correspondence (e.g., using a coordinate transformation process as is well known). Objects in physical space may be registered to any suitable coordinate system, such as a coordinate system being used by a process running on the computer 21 and/or the computer 31. For example, utilizing pose data from the tracking system 40, the surgical system 10 is able to associate the physical anatomy and the tool 50 (and/or the haptic device 30) with a representation of the anatomy (such as an image displayed on the display device 23). Based on tracked object and registration data, the surgical system 10 may determine, for example, (a) a spatial relationship between the image of the anatomy and the relevant anatomy and (b) a spatial relationship between the relevant anatomy and the tool 50 so that the computing system 20 can superimpose (and continually update) a virtual representation of the tool 50 on the image, where the relationship between the virtual representation and the image is substantially identical to the relationship between the tool 50 and the actual anatomy. Additionally, by tracking not only the tool 50 but also the relevant anatomy, the surgical system 10 can compensate for movement of the relevant anatomy during the surgical procedure (e.g., by adjusting a virtual object in response to the detected movement). As shown in FIG. 1 , the tracking system 40 may be coupled to the haptic device 30 via an interface 100 b.

The tracking system 40 may be any tracking system that enables the surgical system 10 to continually determine (or track) a pose of the relevant anatomy of the patient and a pose of the tool 50 (and/or the haptic device 30). For example, the tracking system 40 may comprise a non-mechanical tracking system, a mechanical tracking system, or any combination of non-mechanical and mechanical tracking systems suitable for use in a surgical environment.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the tracking system 40 includes a non-mechanical tracking system. In this embodiment, the non-mechanical tracking system is an optical tracking system that comprises a detection device 41 and at least one trackable element (or tracker) configured to be disposed on (or incorporated into) a tracked object and detected by the detection device 41. As shown in FIG. 1 , the detection device 41 may include, for example, a stereo camera pair sensitive to infrared radiation and positionable in an operating room where the surgical procedure will be performed. The tracker is configured to be affixed to the tracked object in a secure and stable manner and includes an array of markers (e.g., an array S1 in FIG. 3 ) having a known geometric relationship to the tracked object. In operation, the detection device 41 detects positions of the markers, and the unique geometry (or firing pattern) and known geometric relationship to the tracked object enable the surgical system 10 to calculate a pose of the tracked object based on the positions of the markers.

A non-mechanical tracking system may include a trackable element (or tracker) for each object the user desires to track. For example, in one embodiment, the non-mechanical tracking system includes an anatomy tracker 43 (to track patient anatomy), a haptic device tracker 45 (to track a global or gross position of the haptic device 30), an end effector tracker 47 (to track a distal end of the haptic device 30), and an instrument tracker 49 (to track an instrument/tool held manually by the user).

As shown in FIG. 1 , the anatomy tracker 43 can be disposed on a relevant portion of a patient's anatomy (such as a bone or work piece) and is adapted to enable the relevant anatomy to be tracked by the detection device 41. The anatomy tracker 43 includes a fixation device for attachment to the anatomy. The fixation device may be, for example, a bone pin, surgical staple, screw, clamp, wearable device, intramedullary rod, or the like. In one embodiment, the anatomy tracker 43 is configured for use during knee replacement surgery to track a femur F and a tibia T of a patient. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the anatomy tracker 43 includes a first tracker 43 a adapted to be disposed on the femur F and a second tracker 43 b adapted to be disposed on the tibia T. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first tracker 43 a includes a fixation device comprising bone pins P and a unique array S1 of markers (e.g., reflective spheres). The array S1 is affixed to a connection mechanism 400 that is adapted to be removably secured to both of the bone pins P. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the connection mechanism 400 may include a first portion 442, a second portion 444, and screws 445. To install the first tracker 43 a on the femur F, the user screws the bone pins P into the femur F, slides the connection mechanism 400 over the bone pins P, and tightens the screws 445 to draw the first and second portions 442 and 444 together to thereby securely fix the connection mechanism 400 to the bone pins P. Once secured, the connection mechanism 400 imparts additional stability to the bone pins P. The second tracker 43 b is identical to the first tracker 43 a except the second tracker 43 b is installed on the tibia T and has its own unique array of markers. When installed on the patient, the first and second trackers 43 a and 43 b enable the detection device 41 to track motion of the femur F and the tibia T during knee replacement surgery. As a result, the surgical system 10 is able to compensate for bone motion in real-time during surgery.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the haptic device tracker 45 is disposed on the haptic device 30 and is adapted to enable the surgical system 10 to monitor a global or gross position of the haptic device 30 in physical space. In particular, the haptic device tracker 45 enables the surgical system 10 to determine whether the haptic device 30 has moved relative to other objects in the surgical environment, such as the patient. Such information is important because the tool 50 is attached to the haptic device 30. For example, if the user intentionally repositions or inadvertently bumps the haptic device 30 while cutting the femur F with the tool 50, the tracking system 40 will detect movement of the haptic device tracker 45. In response, the surgical system 10 can make appropriate adjustments to programs running on the computer 21 and/or the computer 31 to compensate for global or gross movement of the haptic device 30 (and the attached tool 50) relative to the femur F. As a result, integrity of the femur preparation process is maintained.

The instrument tracker 49 is adapted to be coupled to an instrument 150 that is held manually in the hand of the user (as opposed, for example, to the tool 50 that is attached to the end effector 35). The instrument 150 may be, for example, a probe, such as a registration probe (e.g., a straight or hooked probe). As shown in FIG. 5 , the instrument tracker 49 may comprise a unique array S5 of markers (e.g., reflective spheres) formed integrally with the instrument 150 or affixed to the instrument 150 in any known manner, such as with mechanical hardware, adhesive, welding, a threaded connection, a clamping device, a clip, or the like. When the instrument tracker 49 is removably connected to the instrument 150, such as with a clip or a clamping device, the instrument tracker 49 should be calibrated to the instrument 150 to determine a relationship between the instrument tracker 49 and a geometry of the instrument 150. Calibration may be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as with a tool calibrator having a divot or a V-groove (e.g., as described in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US 2003/0209096, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). One advantage of using a clip or clamping device to connect the tracker 49 to the instrument 150 is that the clip or clamping device may be adjustable to fit various sizes of instruments. Thus, a single clip or clamping device may be used with multiple instruments. Knowing a geometric relationship between the array S5 and the instrument 150, the surgical system 10 is able to calculate a position of a tip of the instrument 150 in physical space. Thus, the instrument 150 can be used to register an object by touching a tip of the instrument 150 to a relevant portion of the object. For example, the instrument 150 may be used to register a bone of the patient by touching landmarks on the bone or points on a surface of the bone. The instrument 150 may also be used to verify proper alignment of an implant installed in the patient by touching the tip of the instrument 150 to predefined verification features (e.g., divots) located on the implant.

The instrument tracker 49 may also be configured to verify calibration of the instrument 150. For example, another tracker (e.g., the tracker 43, 45, or 47) may include a divot into which the user can insert the tip of the instrument 150. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , the end effector tracker 47 includes a divot 47 a into which the user can insert the tip of the instrument 150. The detection device 41 can then acquire pose data for the instrument tracker 49 and the end effector tracker 47, and the surgical system 10 can compare an actual geometric relationship between the trackers 47 and 49 to an expected geometric relationship. Deviation between the actual and expected geometric relationships indicates that a physical parameter (e.g., straightness, tip position, etc.) of the instrument 150 is out of calibration. As shown in FIG. 15 , during the verification process, the surgical system 10 may display a screen showing a graphical representation of the instrument 150, the instrument tracker 49, and the end effector tracker 47 on the display device 23.

The tracking system 40 may additionally or alternatively include a mechanical tracking system. In contrast to the non-mechanical tracking system (which includes a detection device 41 that is remote from the trackers 43, 45, 47, and 49), a mechanical tracking system may be configured to include a detection device (e.g., an articulating arm having joint encoders) that is mechanically linked (i.e., physically connected) to the tracked object. The tracking system 40 may include any known mechanical tracking system, such as, for example, a mechanical tracking system as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,033,415 and/or 6,322,567, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In one embodiment, the tracking system 40 includes a mechanical tracking system having a jointed mechanical arm 241 (e.g., an articulated arm having six or more degrees of freedom) adapted to track a bone of the patient. As shown in FIG. 6 , the arm 241 has a proximal end affixed to the base 32 of the haptic device 30 and a freely movable distal end fixed to the femur F of the patient. Alternatively, the proximal end may be affixed to any other suitable location (such as, for example, to a rail of an operating table, a leg holder, etc.) but is preferably connected (e.g., directly or via a bracket) to the base 32 of the haptic device 30 so that the arm 241 moves globally with the haptic device 30. The distal end of the arm 241 includes an fixation device 245 adapted for rigid fixation to the femur F, such as, for example, a bone pin, bone screw, clamp, wearable device, surgical staple, or the like. The arm 241 is configured to have multiple degrees of freedom. For example, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , the arm 241 includes a plurality of links 242 connected at joints 244. Each joint 244 incorporates one or more position sensors (not shown) to track a pose of the arm 241. The position sensors may include any suitable sensor, such as, for example, the position sensors described above in connection with the arm 33 of the haptic device 30. In operation, as the femur F moves, the distal end of the arm travels with the femur F. The position sensors (and appropriate software) produce measurements of a pose of the distal end of the arm relative to the proximal end of the arm fixed to the haptic device 30. In this manner, motion of the femur F relative to the haptic device 30 is captured. The mechanical tracking system 240 may also include a second arm that is identical to the arm 241 but is rigidly affixed to the tibia T to enable the tracking system 240 to track motion of the tibia T. In this manner, the mechanical tracking system 240 may be used to track the femur F and the tibia T so that the surgical system 10 can detect bone motion in real time during surgery. Using bone motion data in conjunction with appropriate software, the surgical system 10 can compensate for the bone motion in real time during surgery.

When the tracking system 40 includes the mechanical tracking system, the arm 241 may be used to register the patient's anatomy. For example, the user may use the arm 241 to register the tibia T while the second arm (i.e., the arm that is identical to the arm 241 but that is affixed to the tibia T) tracks motion of the tibia T. Registration may be accomplished, for example, by pointing a tip of the distal end of the arm 241 to anatomical landmarks on the tibia T and/or by touching points on (or “painting”) a surface of the tibia T with the tip of the distal end of the arm 241. As the user touches landmarks on the tibia T and/or paints a surface of the tibia T, the surgical system 10 acquires data from the position sensors in the arm 241 and determines a pose of the tip of the arm 241. Simultaneously, the second arm provides data regarding motion of the tibia T so that the surgical system 10 can account for bone motion during registration. Based on the bone motion data and knowledge of the position of the tip of the arm 241, the surgical system 10 is able to register the tibia T to the diagnostic images and/or the anatomical model of the patient's anatomy in the computing system 20. In a similar manner, the second arm may be used to register the femur F while the arm 241 (which is affixed to the femur F) tracks motion of the femur F. The patient's anatomy may also be registered, for example, using a non-mechanical tracking system in combination with a tracked probe (e.g., the instrument 150 with the instrument tracker 49) and/or using the haptic device 30 (e.g., as described below in connection with step S8 of FIG. 9 ).

A fault condition may exist if there is a system problem (e.g., a problem with the hardware or software), if the occlusion detection algorithm detects an occluded condition (e.g., as described below in connection with step S11 of FIG. 9 ), and/or if the tool 50 is in an undesirable location. In one embodiment, the surgical system 10 is programmed to issue a fault signal and disable the tool 50 if a relationship between the anatomy and a position, an orientation, a velocity, and/or an acceleration of the tool 50 does not correspond to a desired relationship. In one embodiment, the haptic rendering algorithm determines whether the predetermined threshold is exceeded based on the haptic wrench (i.e., force and/or torque) being applied by the haptic device 30 to the user. Another situation that may trigger a fault signal is when rapid motion of the anatomy is detected. Rapid motion may be caused, for example, when the anatomy shifts or someone bumps a tracking element affixed to the anatomy. In one embodiment, the surgical system 10 may have different levels of faults. In one embodiment, the surgical system 10 responds to a fault signal by disabling the tool 50 and placing the haptic device 30 in the free mode (rather than applying the brakes) so that the arm 33 does not pull or apply stress to the anatomy. In this manner, the surgical system 10 avoids damaging the anatomy by preventing the user from operating the tool 50 and/or the arm 33 when an unsafe condition exists.

In one embodiment, a method of controlling the haptic device 30 based on the tool disabling features includes (a) enabling operation of the haptic device 30; (b) manipulating the haptic device 30 to perform a procedure on a patient; (c) determining whether a relationship between the anatomy of the patient and a position, an orientation, a velocity, and/or an acceleration of the tool 50 of the haptic device 30 corresponds to a desired relationship; and (d) issuing a fault signal if the relationship does not correspond to the desired relationship. The method may further include implementing control parameters for controlling the haptic device 30 to provide at least one of haptic guidance to the user and a limit on user manipulation of the surgical device based on the relationship. In one embodiment, in response to the fault signal, the surgical system 10 disables operation of the haptic device 30, locks a portion of the haptic device 30 in position, and/or places the haptic device 10 in a safety mode. In the safety mode, operation of and/or manipulation of the haptic device 30 is impeded.

In one embodiment, a method of compensating for motion of objects during a surgical procedure includes (a) determining a pose of the anatomy; (b) determining a pose of the tool 50; (c) determining at least one of a position, an orientation, a velocity, and an acceleration of the tool 50; (d) associating the pose of the anatomy, the pose of the tool 50, and a relationship between the pose of the anatomy and the at least one of the position, the orientation, the velocity, and the acceleration of the tool 50; and (e) updating the association in response to motion of the anatomy and/or motion of the tool 50. The relationship may be based, for example, on a desired interaction between the anatomy and a position, an orientation, a velocity, and/or an acceleration of the tool 50. In one embodiment, the relationship is defined by a virtual object or parameter positioned relative to the anatomy and representing a desired location of an implant and/or cut surfaces for installing the implant. The step of associating the pose of the anatomy, the pose of the tool 50, and the relationship may be accomplished, for example, using registration processes (e.g., step S8 of FIG. 9 ), coordinate transformation processes, and implant planning processes (e.g., steps S10 and S13 of FIG. 13 ). In one embodiment, the step of associating includes (a) defining a first transformation for transforming a coordinate system of the anatomy to a coordinate system of a representation of an anatomy; (b) defining a second transformation for transforming a coordinate system of the tool 50 to a coordinate system of the representation of the anatomy; and (c) associating the relationship with the coordinate system of the representation of the anatomy. To associate the relationship with the coordinate system of the representation of the anatomy, the user may, for example, position a virtual object relative to an image of the anatomy (e.g., implant planning steps S10 and S13 of FIG. 9 ). To enable the surgical system 10 to compensate for motion of objects during the surgical procedure, the step of updating the association may include updating the first transformation in response to motion of the anatomy and/or updating the second transformation in response to motion of the tool 50.

One advantage of including a haptic rendering process in the surgical system 10 is that the haptic rendering process enables interaction between a surgical tool and a virtual environment. For example, the haptic rendering process can create a virtual environment including one or more virtual (or haptic) objects and a virtual representation of the physical tool 50. The physical tool 50 is associated with (e.g., registered to) the virtual environment and/or the virtual representation of the tool 50. Thus, as the user manipulates the physical tool 50, the virtual representation of the tool 50 interacts with virtual objects in the virtual environment. In this manner, the physical tool 50 is able to interact with the virtual environment. Interaction between the virtual objects and the virtual representation of the tool 50 may be based on point, ray (line), multiple point, and/or polygon models. In a preferred embodiment, the surgical system 10 employs point-based haptic interaction where only a virtual point, or haptic interaction point (HIP), interacts with virtual objects in the virtual environment. The HIP corresponds to a physical point on the haptic device 30, such as, for example, a tip of the tool 50. The HIP is coupled to the physical point on the physical haptic device 30 by a virtual spring/damper model. The virtual object with which the HIP interacts may be, for example, a haptic object having a surface and a haptic force normal vector F_(n). A penetration depth d_(i) is a distance between the HIP and the nearest point on the surface. The penetration depth d_(i) represents the depth of penetration of the HIP into the haptic object.

During a surgical procedure, the computing system 20 guides the user through the procedure. For example, the computing system 20 may be programmed to generate a display configured to guide the user manipulating the haptic device 30 through the procedure. The display may comprise screens shown on the display device 23 that include, for example, predefined pages and/or images corresponding to specific steps of the procedure. The display may also prompt the user to perform one or more tasks. For example, the display may instruct a user to select anatomical landmarks on a representation of the anatomy (discussed below in connection with steps S3 and S4 of FIG. 9 ). In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , the screen may include a navigation pane 600 for displaying images related to a current step of the procedure; a tracked object pane 602 for showing tracked objects in relation to one another; an information pane 604 for displaying information related to the current step of the procedure, such as, for example, measurement data, error data, status information, selection buttons, and the like; and a pane 606 for advancing to subsequent steps in the procedure and/or returning to previous steps.

Displays or screens associated with the surgical procedure may be configured to communicate visual information to the user regarding the procedure. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the navigation pane 600 may create and display a representation of the anatomy (such as an image or representation of a bone) and a representation 616 of the surgical tool 50. For a bone preparation process, the surgical system 10 may facilitate the step of preparing the bone to receive an implant by creating a representation 612 of a portion of material to be removed from the bone, superimposing the representation 612 of the portion of material to be removed on the representation of the bone, and updating the representation 612 of the portion of material to be removed with a representation 614 of a portion of material actually removed by the tool 50 as the user manipulates the haptic device 30. To further aid the user, the surgical system 10 can update the representation of the bone and the representation 616 of the tool 50 as the bone and the tool 50 move. In one embodiment, the representation 612 of the portion of material to be removed corresponds to a portion of a virtual object associated with (or registered to) the bone. Thus, the virtual object represents the portion of material to be removed from the anatomy. For example, the virtual object may have a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of a surface of an implant to be fitted to the anatomy (e.g., in a cementless implant application). For cemented implant applications, the virtual object may have a shape that is larger than a shape of the implant to allow room for a cement mantle between the implant and the bone. The above-described bone preparation steps may be performed, for example, on a first bone (e.g., the tibia T) and then repeated for a second bone (e.g., the femur F).

In addition to communicating with the user visually, the computing system 20 may be programmed to emit audible signals (e.g., via the acoustic device). For example, in one embodiment, the computing system 20 may emit sounds (e.g., beeps) indicating that a cutting depth of the tool 50 is too shallow, approximately correct, or too deep. In another embodiment, the surgical system 10 may provide an audible indication of a distance between the tip of the tool 50 and a surface of a haptic object in registration with the patient as described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/621,119 (Pub. No. US 2004/0106916), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The computing system 20 may also be programmed to control the haptic device 30 to provide tactile feedback to the user, such as, for example, a vibration indicating that the tool 50 has reached or exceeded the desired cutting depth. The software of the computing system 20 may also include programs or processes that automatically prompt a user to perform certain tasks, such as, for example, segmenting an image of a diagnostic image data set, selecting points on the patient's anatomy to define a mechanical axis, touching (or “painting”) points on a surface of the bone with a registration probe, entering data (e.g., implant size, burr size, etc.), and the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a process for using the surgical system 10 for surgical planning and navigation of a unicondylar knee replacement. The process of FIG. 9 is intended as an exemplary illustration only. In other embodiments, the order of the steps of the process may be rearranged in any manner suitable for a particular surgical application. Additionally, other embodiments may include all, some, or only portions of the steps illustrated in FIG. 9 and may combine any of the steps of FIG. 9 with existing and/or later developed surgical approaches. The unicondylar knee replacement procedure detailed in the process of FIG. 9 is for a medial side of the knee. The same process may be used, however, for a lateral side of the knee. Moreover, the illustrated unicondylar procedure is exemplary only. The surgical system 10 may also be used to perform a total knee replacement procedure or other joint replacement procedure involving installation of an implant. The implant may include any implant or prosthetic device, such as, for example, a total knee implant; a unicondylar knee implant; a modular knee implant; implants for other joints including hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, and spine; and/or any other orthopedic and/or musculoskeletal implant, including implants of conventional materials and more exotic implants, such as orthobiologics, drug delivery implants, and cell delivery implants.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9 , steps S1 to S4 are performed preoperatively, and steps S5 to S14 are performed intraoperatively. In step S1, patient information or data may be input to the surgical system 10. In step S2, a preoperative diagnostic image (e.g., a CT data file) is loaded into the surgical system 10 and segmented. In step S3, femoral landmarks are selected. In step S4, tibial landmarks are selected. In step S5, a homing process is performed on the haptic device 30 to initialize position sensors in the arm 33 of the haptic device 30. In step S6, calibration of a registration probe is verified. In step S7, the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b are attached to the patient. In step S8, patient anatomy is registered. In step S9, the haptic device 30 is calibrated. In step S10, an initial placement of a tibial implant (e.g., a tibial component 74 as shown in FIG. 7B) is planned. A depth of the initial placement may be guided by points that are selected on a surface of the tibial plateau cartilage and transferred to a planning screen on the display device 23 using the registration computed in step S8. In step S11, the tibia T is prepared or sculpted. In step S12, a tibial trial implant is fitted to the prepared surface of the tibia T. In step S13, an initial placement of a femoral implant (e.g., a femoral component 72 as shown in FIG. 7A) is planned, for example, using points related to a position of the tibial trial implant at various flexions of the leg. In step S14, the femur F is prepared or sculpted. In step S15, a femoral trail implant is fitted to the prepared surface of the femur F. A trial reduction process is performed in which the user assesses the fit of the femoral and tibial trial implants and makes any desired adjustments (e.g., repeating implant planning and/or bone sculpting) prior to installing the femoral component 72 and the tibial component 74.

Regarding the steps of FIG. 13 in further detail, in steps S3 and S4 the user designates landmarks on the representation of the first bone and the representation of the second bone. For example, in step S3, the user may designate femoral landmarks on an image of the femur F. The femoral landmarks are used by the surgical system 10 to associate (or register) the patient's physical anatomy with the representation of the anatomy (e.g., diagnostic images, models generated from segmentation, anatomical models, etc.). In one embodiment, the user may select the femoral landmarks on a displayed image using a mouse or touch screen. In another embodiment, the computer may be programmed to determine the location of the femoral landmarks in the images, for example, using algorithms designed to locate distinguishing features in the diagnostic images.

Similarly, in step S4, the user may designate tibial landmarks on an image of the tibia T. The tibial landmarks are used by the surgical system 10 to associate (or register) the patient's physical anatomy with the representation of the anatomy (e.g., diagnostic images, models generated from segmentation, anatomical models, etc.). The surgical system 10 generates screens to guide the user in specifying the tibial landmarks. For example, the surgical system 10 may direct the user to specify a medial malleolus, a lateral malleolus, a rotational landmark, and a knee center. In one embodiment, the user may select the tibial landmarks on a displayed image using a mouse or touch screen. In another embodiment, the computer may be programmed to determine the tibial landmarks, for example, using algorithms designed to locate distinguishing features in the diagnostic images.

In step S5, a homing process initializes the position sensors (e.g., encoders) of the haptic device 30 to determine an initial pose of the arm 33. Homing may be accomplished, for example, by manipulating the arm 33 so that each joint encoder is rotated until an index marker on the encoder is read. The index marker is an absolute reference on the encoder that correlates to a known absolute position of a joint. Thus, once the index marker is read, the control system of the haptic device 30 knows that the joint is in an absolute position. As the arm 33 continues to move, subsequent positions of the joint can be calculated based on the absolute position and subsequent displacement of the encoder. The surgical system 10 may guide the user through the homing process by providing instructions regarding the positions in which the user should place the arm 33. The instructions may include, for example, images displayed on the display device 23 showing the positions into which the arm 33 should be moved.

In step S6, an instrument (e.g., a registration probe such as the instrument 150) is checked to verify that the instrument is calibrated. For example, step S6 may be used to verify that a registration probe has a proper physical configuration. As discussed above in connection with the instrument tracker 49, calibration of a probe that includes the instrument tracker 49 may be accomplished by inserting a tip of the probe into the divot 47 a of the end effector tracker 47, holding the tip in place, and detecting the instrument tracker 49 and the end effector tracker 47 with the detection device 41. The detection device 41 acquires pose data, and the surgical system 10 compares an actual geometric relationship between the trackers 49 and 47 to an expected geometric relationship between the trackers 49 and 47. Deviation between the actual and expected geometric relationships indicates one or more physical parameters of the probe is out of calibration. As shown in FIG. 10 , during the verification process, the surgical system 10 may display a screen 84 showing a graphical representation of the probe, the instrument tracker 49, and the end effector tracker 47 on the display device 23, with FIG. 10 disclosing steps of placing the tip of the straight probe into the divot of the end effector, ensuring it is firmly seated at the bottom of the divot, holding the tip in place and showing both tools to the camera, and pressing the right foot pedal and holding the tools still while their positions are captured.

In step S7, the surgical system 10 prompts the user to attach the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b to the patient. As shown in FIG. 11 , the surgical system 10 may also generate a screen 85 to enable the user to optimize positioning of tracked objects with respect to the detection device 41. For example, the screen 85 may include a representation 85 a of the detection device 41 and a representation 85 b of a field of view of the detection device 41. The screen may also display a representation F1 of the anatomy tracker 43 a, a representation T1 of the anatomy tracker 43 b, a representation H of the haptic device tracker 45, and/or a representation of any other trackable element in relation to the field of view 85 a of the detection device 41. In one embodiment, each of the representations F1, T1, and H is displayed in a different color to enable the user to distinguish between each of the tracked objects. In another embodiment, the representations F1, T1, and H1 may change to a different color when the tracked object is near a boundary of the field of view of the detection device 41. In this manner, the user may determine whether tracked objects are sufficiently positioned within the field of view of the detection device 41.

In one embodiment, once the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b are attached, a range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint is captured (e.g., by moving the knee joint through the ROM while tracking the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b with the tracking system 40). The captured ROM data may be used to assess relative placement of the femoral and tibial implants. In this way, comprehensive placement planning for both implants can be performed before cutting any bone. The ROM data may also be used (e.g., during the implant planning steps S10 and S13) to display relative positions of the femoral and tibial implants at extension, flexion, and various angles between extension and flexion on the display device 23.

After the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b are fixed to the patient, the process proceeds to step S8 in which the patient's physical anatomy is registered to the representation of the anatomy. In other words, the physical anatomy is registered to image space. For example, the femur F and the tibia T of the patient may be registered in standard fashion using a paired-point/surface match approach based on the femoral and tibial landmarks specified in steps S3 and S4, respectively. The surgical system 10 generates screens to guide the user through the registration process. For example, a screen 86 a (FIG. 12 ) instructs the user to rotate the femur F to find a center of a hip of the leg L. In one embodiment, the surgical system 10 determines the hip center by determining a center of a pivot point of the femur F based on motion of the anatomy tracker 43 a during the rotation of the femur F. Screens instruct the user to point a registration probe to various anatomical landmarks (e.g., medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, medial epicondyle, lateral epicondyle, posterior border of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) attachment, etc.) and to select the landmarks. For example, the user may place a tip of a tracked registration probe on the relevant landmark and select the landmark with a foot pedal or other input device 25. When the user selects the landmark, the detection device 41 acquires data related to the pose of the registration probe, which is then used to calculate the location of the landmark. Based on the landmark pose data and the landmark designations in the diagnostic images (in steps S3 and S4), the surgical system 10 registers the physical anatomy to the diagnostic images by determining a correspondence between the physical landmarks on the patient and the landmarks in the diagnostic images. The accuracy of this landmark-based registration may be improved by acquiring surface data for the femur F and the tibia T. For example, the surgical system 10 may generate a screen 86 g (FIG. 18 ) instructing the user to touch points on (or “paint”) a surface of a distal end of the femur F with the registration probe. As the user paints the surface (e.g., by inserting a tip of the registration probe through the incision 128), the surgical system 10 periodically acquires a position of the probe tip and displays the acquired tip positions on the screen 86 g as dots 900. For bone surfaces that are overlaid with cartilage, a sharp probe may be used to pierce the cartilage and collect points on the surface of the bone (as opposed to points on the surface of the cartilage). Similarly, the surgical system 10 generates a screen 86 h (FIG. 19 ) and instructs the user to paint a surface of a proximal end of the tibia T with the registration probe. As the user paints the surface (e.g., by inserting the probe tip through the incision 128), the surgical system 10 periodically acquires a position of the probe tip and displays the acquired tip positions on the screen as the dots 900. As with the femur, a sharp probe may be used to pierce any cartilage so that points on the surface of the bone (as opposed to the surface of the cartilage) are collected. Additionally, a hooked probe may be used to facilitate the collection of points at a posterior margin of the tibial plateau. The result of the registration process of step S8 is a registration transform that relates a coordinate system of the physical anatomy to a coordinate system of the representation of the anatomy.

Preferably, step S8 includes identifying at least one check point on the anatomy and digitizing the check point with a registration probe. During the surgical procedure, the check point enables the user to verify that the surgical system 10 is properly configured. For example, the user can touch the tip of the tool 50 to the check point to confirm that the tracking system 40 is properly configured (e.g., the tracking elements are not occluded and are still properly aligned relative to the anatomy and/or the haptic device 30, etc.), that the tool 50 is correctly installed (e.g., property seated, shaft not bent, etc.), and/or that any other object is properly mounted, installed, calibrated, and the like. In this manner, the check point enables the surgical system 10 to confirm that all elements involved in relating the tip of the tool 50 to the anatomy of the patient remain in calibration and that the tracking elements are updating properly.

In one embodiment, the check point is established as follows. In step S8, after locating the hip center and prior to collecting any landmarks, the user establishes two anatomical reference points (or check points) on the anatomy—a first check point on the femur F and a second check point on the tibia T. Each check point should be placed so that it is accessible with a registration probe but is not located on a portion of the bone that will be removed during the surgical procedure. A check point may be established, for example, by marking the bone with methylene blue (or other clinical marking product), by creating a small (e.g., approximately 1 mm diameter) divot on the bone (e.g., using a drill bit), and/or by implanting a temporary fiducial marker in the bone as is well known. In this embodiment, the surgical system 10 displays a screen instructing the user to identify (e.g., touch or contact) the first check point on the femur F. When the user contacts the first check point with the tip of the registration probe, the surgical system 10 digitizes the first check point and establishes a vector from the first check point to the anatomy tracker 43 a affixed to the femur F. The surgical system 10 may also instruct the user to verify (or re-touch) the first check point to ensure that the first check point is accurately captured. The surgical system 10 then displays a screen instructing the user to identify (e.g., touch or contact) the second check point on the tibia T. When the user contacts the second check point with the tip of the registration probe, the surgical system 10 digitizes the second check point and establishes a vector from the second check point to the anatomy tracker 43 b affixed to the tibia T. The surgical system 10 may also instruct the user to verify (or re-touch) the second check point to ensure that the second check point is accurately captured. After the first and second check points have been established, the user proceeds with registration by selecting landmarks and painting surfaces of the femur F and the tibia T (as described above in connection with step S8). If desired, the first and second check points may be transformed into image space (e.g., using the registration transform obtained in step S8) and displayed on the display device 23 to aid in assessing the success of the registration.

In operation, s any time the user wants to validate the configuration of the surgical system 10, such as when the tool 50 is withdrawn from and then reinserted into the patient. Based on geometric data obtained during establishment of the first and second checkpoints, the surgical system 10 knows a location of the first checkpoint relative to the anatomy tracker 43 a and a location of the second checkpoint relative to the anatomy tracker 43 b. Based on geometric data obtained during calibration of the haptic device 30 (as described below in connection with step S9), the surgical system 10 knows a location of a center of the tip of the tool 50 from a pose of the haptic device tracker 45, a pose of the arm 33 of the haptic device 30, the geometry of the tool 50, and the geometric relationship between the tool 50 and the end effector 35. Based on this data, when the user touches the tip of the tool 50 to an interface, the surgical system 10 can calculate a distance between the location of the center of the tip of the tool 50 and the location of the relevant checkpoint. A radius of the tip of the tool 50 is subtracted from the distance to obtain a verification value. Preferably, the verification value is approximately 0.00 mm, which indicates that the location of the tip of the tool 50 and the location of the checkpoint correspond. Some error, however, is acceptable. For example, in one embodiment, if the verification value is equal to or less than a predetermined tolerance (e.g., approximately 1 mm), the system configuration will be deemed acceptable and the user may proceed with the surgical procedure. In contrast, if the verification value exceeds the predetermined tolerance, the surgical system 10 will issue a warning (e.g., a visual, audible, and/or tactile warning) indicating a problem with the system configuration. A problem may exist, for example, if one of tracking elements was bumped by the user during a tool change and is now misaligned, if the tool shaft is bent, and the like. If a warning is issued, registration (step S8) and/or calibration (step S9) should be repeated.

In addition to checking the entire system configuration, the checkpoints may also be used to determine whether the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b have moved relative to the femur F and the tibia T, respectively. For example, to determine whether the anatomy tracker 43 a has moved relative to the femur F, the user returns to the checkpoint identification screen (e.g., screen 186 a of FIG. 56 ) and re-digitizes the first checkpoint. If the anatomy tracker 43 a has moved, the newly digitized checkpoint will appear on the display device 23 in a different location than the original first checkpoint. If the difference between a location of the original first checkpoint and a location of the new checkpoint is greater than a predetermined tolerance (e.g., approximately 2 mm), the surgical system 10 determines that that the anatomy tracker 43 a has moved. In this situation, registration (step S8) should be repeated. Similarly, to determine whether the anatomy tracker 43 b has moved relative to the tibia T, the user returns to the checkpoint identification screen (e.g., screen 186 b of FIG. 57 ) and re-digitizes the second checkpoint. If the anatomy tracker 43 b has moved, the newly digitized checkpoint will appear on the display device 23 in a different location than the original second checkpoint. If the difference between a location of the original second checkpoint and a location of the new checkpoint is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the surgical system 10 determines that that the anatomy tracker 43 b has moved. Accordingly, registration (step S8) should be repeated.

One advantage of the checkpoint verification procedure is that the procedure enables the user to confirm that various parts of the surgical system 10 are performing as intended prior to making any non-reversible cuts on the patient's anatomy. For example, the checkpoints can be used to verify registration, calibration of the haptic device 30, and proper operation of the tracking system 40 and tracking elements. As a result, the checkpoints enable the surgical system 10 to simultaneously verify movement of the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b, registration accuracy, movement of the haptic device tracker 45, kinematic calibration of the haptic device 30, proper mounting of the tool 50, and correct tool size.

In step S9, the haptic device 30 is calibrated to establish a geometric relationship or transformation (i.e., position and orientation) between a coordinate system of the haptic device tracker 45 and a coordinate system of the haptic device 30. If the haptic device tracker 45 is fixed in a permanent position on the haptic device 30, calibration is not necessary because the geometric relationship between the tracker 45 and the haptic device 30 is fixed and known (e.g., from an initial calibration during manufacture or setup). In contrast, if the tracker 45 can move relative to the haptic device 30 (e.g., if the arm 34 on which the tracker 45 is mounted is adjustable) calibration is necessary to determine the geometric relationship between the tracker 45 and the haptic device 30.

The surgical system 10 can initiate a calibration procedure by generating a screen instructing the user to calibrate the haptic device 30. Calibration involves securing the haptic device tracker 45 in a fixed position on the haptic device 30 and temporarily affixing the end effector tracker 47 to the end effector 35. The end effector 35 is then moved to various positions in a vicinity of the anatomy (e.g., positions above and below the knee joint, positions medial and lateral to the knee joint) while the tracking system 40 acquires pose data for the trackers 47 and 45 relative to the tracking system 40 in each of the positions. The calibration process of step S9 need not be performed if the haptic device tracker 45 has not moved with respect to the haptic device 30 since the previous calibration and the previously acquired calibration data is still reliable.

In step S10, the user plans bone preparation for implanting a first implant on a first bone. In a preferred embodiment, the first bone is the tibia T, the first implant is the tibial component 74, and bone preparation is planned by selecting a location on a proximal end of the tibia T where the tibial component 74 will be installed. To facilitate implant planning, the surgical system 10 can generate a screen that includes various views of representations of the first and second bones (i.e., the tibia T and the femur F, respectively).

Steps S11 to S15 encompass the bone preparation process. In step S11, the first bone (e.g., the tibia T) is prepared to receive the first implant (e.g., the tibial component 74) by manipulating the tool 50 to sculpt the first bone. In step S12, a trial implant is fitted to the prepared feature on the first bone. In step S13, an initial placement of the second implant (e.g., the femoral component) is planned (or a previously planned placement of the second implant may be revisited and adjusted). In step S14, the second bone (e.g., the femur F) is prepared to receive the second implant after preparation of the first bone. In step S15, a trial implant is fitted to the prepared features on the second bone.

Throughout surgical procedure, the surgical system 10 monitors movement of the anatomy to detect movement of the anatomy and makes appropriate adjustments to the programs running on the computer 21 and/or the computer 31. The surgical system 10 can also adjust a virtual object associated with the anatomy in response to the detected movement of the anatomy.

In step S11, the first bone is prepared to receive the first implant by manipulating the tool 50 to sculpt the first bone. In one embodiment, the tibia T is prepared by forming the medial tibial pocket feature on the proximal end of the tibia T. Upon installation of the tibial component 74, the medial tibial pocket feature will mate with the surface 74 a of the tibial component 74 (shown in FIG. 7B).

The occlusion detection algorithm is a safety feature adapted to mitigate risk during a cutting operation in the event tracking elements associated with the haptic device 30 and/or the anatomy become occluded (e.g., the haptic device tracker 45, the anatomy trackers 43 a and 43 b). An occluded state may exist, for example, when the detection device 41 is unable to detect a tracking element (e.g., when a person or object is interposed between the tracking element and the detection device 41), when a lens of the detection device 41 is occluded (e.g., by dust), and/or when reflectivity of markers on a tracking element is occluded (e.g., by blood, tissue, dust, bone debris, etc.). If an occluded state is detected, the occlusion detection algorithm alerts the user, for example, by causing a warning message to be displayed on the display device 23, an audible alarm to sound, and/or the generation of tactile feedback (e.g., vibration). The occlusion detection algorithm may also issue a control signal, such as a command to the surgical system 10 to shut off power to or otherwise disable the tool 50. In this manner, the occlusion detection algorithm prevents the tool 50 from damaging the anatomy when the tracking system 40 is not able to track relative positions of the tool 50 and the anatomy.

Step S12 is a trial reduction process in which the first implant (i.e., the tibial component 74) or a trial implant (e.g., a tibial trial) is fitted to the first bone (i.e., the prepared medial tibial pocket feature on the tibia T). The user assesses the fit of the tibial component or the tibial trial and may make any desired adjustments, such as, for example, repeating implant planning and/or bone sculpting to achieve an improved fit.

In step S13, the user plans bone preparation for implanting a second implant on a second bone after preparing the first bone. In a preferred embodiment, the second bone is the femur F, the second implant is the femoral component 72, and bone preparation is planned by selecting a location on a distal end of the femur F where the femoral component 72 will be installed. If the femoral component 72 has been previously planned (e.g., in step S10), the prior placement may be revisited and adjusted if desired.

In step S14, the second bone is prepared to receive the second implant by manipulating the tool 50 to sculpt the second bone. In one embodiment, the femur F is prepared by forming the medial femoral surface, post, and keel features on the distal end of the femur F. Upon installation of the femoral component 72, the medial femoral surface, post, and keel features will mate with a surface 72 a, a post 72 b, and a keel 72 c, respectively, of the femoral component 72 (shown in FIG. 7A). Preparation of the femoral features is substantially similar to the preparation of the medial tibial surface feature.

Step S15 is a trial reduction process in which the second implant (i.e., the femoral component 72) or a trial implant (e.g., a femoral trial) is fitted to the prepared medial femoral surface, post, and keel features on the femur F. The user assesses the fit of the femoral component 72 or the femoral trial and may make any desired adjustments, such as, for example, repeating implant planning and/or bone sculpting to achieve an improved fit. In step S15, adjustments may also be made to the tibia T. When the user is satisfied with the fit of the trial implants, the user may proceed with installation of the femoral component 72 and the tibial component 74 and completion of the surgical procedure.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention can be configured to provide a haptic guidance system and method that may replace direct visualization in minimally invasive surgery, spare healthy bone in orthopedic joint replacement applications, enable intraoperative adaptability and planning, and produce operative results that are sufficiently predictable, repeatable, and/or accurate regardless of surgical skill level.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical system comprising: a robotic arm; a tool coupled to the robotic arm; a divot at the tool, wherein the divot is not coupled to an anatomy of a patient; a probe configured to be inserted into the divot; a tracking system configured to obtain data indicative of a position of the probe while the probe is in the divot; and circuitry configured to: verify a proper physical configuration of the surgical system and a position or orientation of the tool based on the data indicative of the position of the probe; and provide a fault signal if the position or orientation of the tool differs from a desired relationship with respect to the anatomy of the patient.
 2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the proper physical configuration comprises a physical parameter of the probe.
 3. The surgical system of claim 1, further comprising a tracker coupled to the tool.
 4. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the divot is positioned on the tracker.
 5. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the tracking system is further configured to obtain data indicative of the position of the tracker and verify the proper physical configuration further based on the data indicative of the position of the tracker.
 6. The surgical system of claim 3, wherein the tracker is coupled to the tool such that the moves with the tool.
 7. The surgical system of claim 3, further comprising a base supporting the robotic arm, wherein the tracker is coupled in fixed relation to the base.
 8. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the tracking system is an optical tracking system comprising a stereo camera pair and the probe comprises a plurality of reflective markers detectable by the stereo camera pair.
 9. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical system is configured to prevent operation of the tool in response to the fault signal.
 10. The surgical system of claim 1, further comprising a display screen controlled to display a graphical representation of the probe and the divot.
 11. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the divot and the tool are positioned at a distal end of the robotic arm.
 12. A method of operating a surgical robotics system, comprising: tracking a position of a probe; obtaining an indication that the probe is in a divot coupled to a tool of a robotic device, wherein the divot is not coupled to an anatomy of a patient; and verifying a proper physical configuration of the surgical robotics system and a position or orientation of the tool based on the position of the probe while the probe is received by the divot; and generating, by the surgical robotics system, a fault signal if the position or orientation of the tool does not correspond to a desired relationship with respect to the anatomy of the patient.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein verifying the proper physical configuration comprises checking a physical parameter of the probe.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising selectively attaching the divot to the tool.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the divot is positioned on a tracker coupled to the tool.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein tracking the position of the probe comprises determining relative positions of the probe and the tracker.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying, on a display screen, a graphical representation of the probe in the divot while the probe is received by the divot.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein tracking the position of the probe comprises detecting, by a stereo camera pair, reflective markers of the probe.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising collecting tracking data with joint encoders of the robotic device.
 20. The method of claim 12, further comprising disabling the tool based on the fault signal.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical system is configured to prevent operation of the robotic arm in response to the fault signal. 